Corrugated carton box



United States Patent O 3,313,467 CORRUGATED CARTON BOX Jael U.Anderskow, 1394 Dennis, Des Plaines, Ill. 60016, and Frank S. Lewis,3332 Lake Drive, Wilmette, Ill. 66991 Filed Apr. 27, 1965, Ser. No.451,185 Claims. (Cl. 229-37) ThisI invention relates to a rectangular,cardboard pattern dimensioned, scored and slotted to permit folding intoa carton for packaging products of varying heights.

Heretofore there have been times when a producer of products, who hadneed for cartons of standard lengths and widths, had an urgent need forone with closure ilaps that could be folded into such relationship as tocompletely close the open top over contents that at times exceeded thenormal depth of the carton and at other times were less than such depth.One industry wherein this is especially true is the printing industry.There the problem arises out of the fact that successive mill runs ofpaper of certain standard weight, are likely to so vary in thicknessthat the depth of the stacks of the same number of sheets from differentmill runs will vary considerably. Such establishments, generally, havestocks of carton patterns structured for packaging a uniform number ofsheets of standard length and width. However, because of the above-notedvariation in mill runs, Stich standard cartons at one time may have thesame predetermined number of sheets extend materially above the plane ofthe hinged closure flaps. This makes for the problem of properly closingin such varying-height stacks of printed material. At ot 1er times aless quantity of printed sheets, stacked in a carton dimensioned forconventional length, width and depth, require filling in the unusedspace up to the plane of the hinged ilaps.

The main objects of this invention are: to provide an improved formationof a cardboard pattern for a carton of predetermined length, Width anddepth with closure flaps adapted to be folded in to secure in placeproducts of varying heights; to provide an improved pattern of this kindwherein the closure flaps, hinged along One of the pair of longitudinalscores, are of a width, transversely of the pair of longitudinal scores,equal to the transverse spacing of the parallel scores and aremultiplely scored parallel to the longitudinal scores to permit theclosure flaps to be folded at varying levels, above the plane of theirhinged connection along the one longitudinal score, to completelyclose-in the top of the product; to provide an improved pattern of thiskind wherein one pair of closure flaps are medially slotted or cleftedtransversely to the longitudinal scores to permit portions of one partof each such pair of flaps to be folded in to seat against the top ofthe contents at a level below the plane of the overlapped other closurellaps; and to provide a carton pattern of this kind of such simplestructuring as to make its manufacture and marketing exceedinglyeconomical Iand its use very facile and highly gratifying to usersthereof.

In the adaptation shown in the accompanying drawings:

FGURE 1 is a planar view of a carton-forming pattern structured inaccordance with this invention;

FlG. 2 is a perspective view of the pattern of FIG. 1 folded into anin-use carton with the top closure flaps overlapped at substantially theplane of their hinged connection to the carton sides and ends;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an in-use carton wherein the end apshave parts folded in under the side flaps to seat against contents lessin height than the depth of the carton;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an in-use carton, formed from thepattern of FIG. l, as viewed from the plane of the line 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an in-use carton, formed 3,313,467Patented Apr. 11, 1967 ICC from the pattern of FlG. 1, wherein theclosure flaps are folded in to accommodate contents of a height muchgreater than the depth of the carton between the parallel scores whichdefine the normal sides and ends of the carton:

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on the plane of theline 6-6 of FlG. 5; and

FIG 7 is an enlarged, cross-sectional, fragmentary detail of the scoringfor the hinge connection of the closure llaps to the carton main bodysection, as viewed from the plane of the line 7 7 of FIG. 1.

The essential conception of this invention involves a cardboard pattern,preferably of the corrugated type, which in -planar form is die cut andvariously scored longitudinally and transversely and slittedtransversely to divide the main body portion into foutr rectangularsections each with a pair of oppositely-extending flaps along therespective longitudinal scores, the aps along one `such longitudinalscore being of a width transversely of the longitudinal scoressubstantially equal to the transverse spacing of such scores andmultiplely scored parallel with such scores, with two of such flapsbeing transversely slit into dual parts, whereby the pattern upon beingfolded into carton form the flaps along the one longitudinal score areadapted for re-lative disposition to completely close the carton overcontents that extend either abov'e or below the one longitudinal score.

A carton pattern embodying the foregoing concept comprises a rectangularpiece of cardboard having a pair of spaced, longitudinal parallel scores11 and 12 and three transverse scores 13, 14 and 15 defining the fourmain body sections 16, 17, 13 and 19 and the respective Ipairs ofintegrated flaps 21-22, 23-24, 25-25, and 27-28, separated byappropriate transverse slits extending oppositely outward from thelongitudinal scores and aligned fwith the transverse scores 13, 14 and15.

All of these tlaps are rectangular and of lengths parallel with thelongitudinal scores substantially equal to that of the respective mainbody sections 16, 17, 18 and 19 'wherewith these flaps are integrated.The flaps 21, 23, 25 and 27 are of equal width, transversely of thelongitudinal scores 11 and 12, substantially half the transverse spacingof these scores 11 and 12. These flaps 21, 23, 25 and 27 constitute thebottom of a carton formed by folding in the pattern, as will beexplained presently.

However, the respectively opposite flaps 22, 24, 26 and 28 are of equalwidths, transversely of the longitudinal scores 11 and 12, to thespacing of these longitudinal scores 111 and 12. These four flaps 22,24, 26 and 28 constitute the top closure for a carton formed by foldingin the pattern, as will be described presently. These four closure flaps22, 24, 26 and 28 are formed with series of scores 29 (six in nurnber asshown in FIG. l) uniformly spaced from and parallel with thelongitudinal score 11. In addition the alternate flaps 24 and 28 areformed with transverse medial slits 31 and 32, dividing the respectiveflaps into dual parts a and b.

The aforesaid dimensioning and scoring of these flaps 22, 24, 26 and 28provide for a carton that will accommodate three diiferent stocks ofcarton contents; (a) one with the top of the contents substantiallylevel with the score 11 (tFIGS. 2 and 4); (b) another with the top ofthe contents spaced various distances above the score 11 (FIGS. 5 and6); and (c) with the top of the carton contents below the score 1,1(tFIG. 3).

The pattern is converted into a carton in the following manner:

After creasing and folding the pattern along the scores 11, l12, 13, 14and 415, the main -body sections 16, 17, y1S and 19 would be positionedin rectangular relationship with the free edges of sections 16 and 17.abutting and secured together by a suitable strip of adhesive tape 3-33 (FIGS. 2 and 5). The bottom closure fla-ps 2d, 23, 25 and 27 thenwould be folded in with the longer flaps 21 and 25 overlapping theshorter flaps 23 and 27.

With the aps 22, 24, 26 and 2S, folded back out of the way, the desiredcarton would be ready for the placing therein of the desired contents.

:If the top of the carton contents were disposed substantially levelwith the longitudinal score 1'1, the aps 22, 24, 26 and 28 then areready to be folded in, with the flaps 22 and 26 overlapping each other(FIG. 2) and superimposed on the aps 24 and 28. The carton then Iwouldbe ready to be taped up along the exposed edges of the flaps 22 and 26,thus completing the loaded carton for transport or storage.

If the top of the contents were disposed above the longitudinal score1v1, the aps 22, 24, 26 and 28 would be exed along the appropriateauxiliary scores 29. This would permit disposing the inner portions ofthese flaps upwardly in the planes of the respective body sections. Theother portions of these top closure aps then would be disposed in theusual transverse manner (FIG. 5). The carton then would be ready fortaping up along the exposed edges of tiaps 22 and 26, thus completingloaded carton for transport or storage.

In the event the top of the contents in such a carton were disposedbelow the level of the longitudinal score 11, one part (or both) (a orb) of each of the flaps 24 and 2S would be folded in, as shown in FIG.3, with the other parts of these flaps 24 and 28 and the aps 22 and 26folded into overlapping relationship and taped up in the usual manner.The folded-in portions of the aps 24, 28 would be seated against the topof the carton contents. The carton then would be ready for taping upalong the exposed edges of the aps 22 and 26, so that the loaded cartonwould be ready for transport or storage.

Although but one specic embodiment of this invention is herein shown anddescribed, it will be understood that details of the construction shownmay be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of theinvention as deiined by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A carton-forming pattern comprising a rectangular piece of cardboardstock divided by longitudinal and transverse scores into four main bodysections each with a pair of integrated and oppositely-extending closureaps separated by slits and foldable along the scores to form acompletely enclosed carton to accommodate variable cubic contents, eachof the closure flaps along one longitudinal score being of a widthtransversely of the longitudinal scores greater than one-half thetransverse spacing thereof, and having a multiple series of scoresformed therein parallel with the longitudinal scores.

2. A carton-forming pattern as set forth in claim 1 wherein thetransverse width of the four flaps along the one longitudinal score issubstantially equal to the transverse spacing of the longitudinalscores.

v3. A carton-forming pattern as set forth in claim 1 wherein one pair ofalternate flaps each have a slit eX- tending outwardly from the onelongitudinal score the full width of the aps to divide each flap intodual parts.

4. A carton-forming pattern comprising a rectangular piece of cardboardstock divided by longitudinal and transverse scores into four main bodysections each with a pair of integrated and oppositely-extending closureaps separated by slits Vand foldable along the scores to form acompletely enclosed carton to accommodate variable cubic contents, theclosure flaps along one longitudinal score being of a Width transverselyof the longitudinal score one-half the distance between the longitudinalscores, the flaps along the other longitudinal score being of a widthtransversely of the longitudinal score equal to the transverse spacingof the longitudinal scores and having a multiple series of auxiliaryscores formed therein parallel with the longitudinal scores, the patternbeing foldable along the longitudinal scores to form the four sides of acarton with the first-mentioned flaps folded transversely inward alongthe one longitudinal score to constitute a carton bottom and thesecond-mentioned aps being foldable inwardly along the otherlongitudinal score to form a closure for the carton for contents the topof which is substantially level with the longitudinal score, or foldableinwardly along any of the auxiliary scores to constitute a top closurefor the carton wherein the top of the contents extend above the otherlongitudinal score.

5. A carton-forming pattern as set forth in claim 4 wherein alternateparts of flaps along the other longitudinal score each has a slitextending outwardly from the other longitudinal score the full width ofthe aps to divide each ap into dual parts, one of which parts of eachflap is foldable inwardly to contact the top of carton contents disposedbelow the level of the other longitudinal score.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,686,834 10/1928Nickerson 229-14 X 2,037,839 4/ 1936 Wagenseller n 229-33 2,203,0846/1940 Evans 229-37 2,709,032 5/ 1955 Ritchie 229-14 X 2,847,152 8/1958Van Artwerpen 229-14 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

D. F. NORTON, Assistant Examiner.

1. A CARTON-FORMING PATTERN COMPRISING A RECTANGULAR PIECE OF CARDBOARDSTOCK DIVIDED BY LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE SCORES INTO FOUR MAIN BODYSECTIONS EACH WITH A PAIR OF INTEGRATED AND OPPOSITELY-EXTENDING CLOSUREFLAPS SEPARATED BY SLITS AND FOLDABLE ALONG THE SCORES TO FORM ACOMPLETELY ENCLOSED CARTON TO ACCOMMODATE VARIABLE CUBIC CONTENTS, EACHOF THE CLOSURE FLAPS ALONG ONE LONGITUDINAL SCORE BEING OF A WIDTHTRANSVERSELY OF THE LONGITUDINAL SCORES GREATER THAN ONE-HALF THETRANSVERSE SPACING THEREOF, AND HAVING A MULTIPLE SERIES OF SCORESFORMED THEREIN PARALLEL WITH THE LONGITUDINAL SCORES.